bayleereads's reviews
150 reviews

Becoming by Michelle Obama

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funny hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

I knew going into this one that I would love it, since I adore Michelle Obama and the entire Obama family. I listened to this on audio, which I highly recommend doing because Michelle narrates it and she's an AMAZING storyteller. I love how she was able to write her entire life story into one book, and it was done in an entertaining/non-dragging way. I love her relationship with Barack and how protective she is of her daughters. I removed a 1/2 star simply because I didn't love her information regarding BMI and how it's a true indicator of health (in regards to childhood obesity when talking about her Let's Move campaign and changing school lunches). I wish she had done more research on BMI and how it's not actually an indicator of health and is often times used as an oppression tool. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I can't wait to listen to Barack's in the future :)
 
→ Things I Liked: informing, author narration, humor, real stories 
 
→ Things I Disliked: long chapters, minor misinformation
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A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

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3.0

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

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emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Y’all… I’m officially on the CoHo train! Ugh this book!! Gutted. Raw. Cried like a baby. Smiled and laughed like a toddler. Beautiful writing for such a beautiful story. Also the steam??🥵 Needless to say, it simply does not get much better than this.

→Things I liked: chapter lengths, lovable characters, strong character development

 →Things I disliked: absolutely nothing y’all 😩
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The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What an interesting and captivating book! This was fun and had me hooked straight from the beginning. I was on the edge of my seat nearly the whole time. The big mystery wasn’t all that exciting for me when it was revealed, and I was actually gonna give it a 3.5. But there was a bigger mystery introduced right after for a cliff-hanger for the next book, which made me like the book a bit more.

→ Things I Liked: short chapters, likable characters, interesting plot 
 
→ Things I Disliked: lots of characters to keep up with, big mystery not that exciting 
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Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m a sucker for a sports romance novel. I loved the *steamy* romance between Travis and Georgie, even though it’s a trope I usually don’t go for (forbidden romance). It also is a fake dating trope, too, which I LOVE. I just really liked this one and can’t wait to read the next in the series! I removed a star because I am SO OVER the miscommunication/secret keeping storyline in romance novels. Come on, no one miscommunicates THAT MUCH! 
 
→ Things I Liked: humor, great chapter lengths, genuine chemistry
 
→ Things I Disliked: miscommunication/secret keeping trope 
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Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo

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challenging emotional informative tense medium-paced

5.0

Such a powerful and informative book. It really takes "not all men" to a whole new level. I knew a baseline amount of information about white supremacy and male America before listening to this book, but now I understand so much more about our country and the policies put in place to basically paralyze any person in America that isn't a cis male, straight, Christian, and white. Oluo backs up her statements with facts and sources that prove her point even further.

Simply a phenomenal book. I think it should be a required reading for high school or college students in political science courses. But, of course they wouldn't do that, because it's "biased." Can something really be biased though, if it's backed up with immense research and facts? White male supremacy in America is harming pretty much everyone and our country isn't doing a damn thing about it.
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People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

This was such a nice, light-hearted read. I really love traveling so I enjoyed that this book is centered around that. Normally I'm not a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, but I did really like this one! My only complaint was that it wasn't steamy enough for me (I know, you're shocked!). Other than that, I really loved Poppy and Alex's dynamic and I love that it was a slow burn. I also liked the dual timeline!
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The Mistake by Elle Kennedy

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this one just as much as The Deal, and I hate how Elle Kennedy has made me fall in love with hockey boys 😭 Maybe it’s just me but the hockey boys I went to school with? Not like the Briar U boys… that’s for damn sure. Logan & Grace are perfect and I’m OBSESSED with this series! I can’t wait to read the next one!!!🥰🔥

(also I have to giggle at the fact that I read the majority of this book on an airplane seated next to a man studying his Bible. if he caught a glimpse of what I was reading?? man’s probably prayed for me & my sins 🙏🏻)

→ Things I Liked: chapter lengths, lovable characters, perfect amount of steam, fast-paced

→ Things I Disliked: no complaints yet again!!
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The Deal by Elle Kennedy

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Am I crazy or did I find my new favorite romance series? Don't get me wrong, I still love the Bromance Boys and the Brown sisters... but this book was so fun and honestly just what I needed.

The steam level???? CHEF'S KISS 🤌🏼💋 Hannah and Garrett's chemistry is literally out of this world and I found myself envious and giddy throughout the entire book. This romance pulled me out of a *deep* reading slump and I would give it 10 stars if I could. I cannot wait to start The Mistake, which I will shamelessly be starting tonight 😌
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The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here by Hope Jahren

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
I really could not get into the author’s voice for narration. Also, I understand the need of context regarding animals and the farm industry, but some of it was very graphically described and I had to skip over some parts because of it. Definitely not for a major animal-lover.
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